Letters to the Editor: Week of March 5-11, 2014

Real geo policingIf 65 police were assigned to District 2, why not disperse them among the public schools
within those boundaries? No central building
headquarters would be needed, o cers could
really bond with the kids, response time to calls
would be cut dramatically, and the neighborhoods
around the schools would be safer. A
community in California has had success with
this true Geo policing. Why not us?—Carolyn Kelley, Rockford

Drones kill people!
In response to a recent e-mail I forwarded to
U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., regarding my
opposition to the use of drones to kill people.
is is one of the paragraphs in his response.
“As a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
and a current member of the Air National
Guard, I have seen rsthand the strategic bene t
that drones can provide to our troops on the
ground. I understand your concerns about the
military’s use of drones, and I am committed to
ensuring our armed forces protect innocent life.
Like any evolving military tactic, it is imperative
that we monitor and reassess as new technology
is developed and better information comes to
light. Please be assured, I will keep your views
in mind should legislation concerning the use
of drones reach the U.S. House oor for a vote.”
is is, again, my thought. Drones are designed
to kill people. ey do not have pinpoint
accuracy, and there are entirely too many innocent
people being murdered.
I am not a veteran. I have looked into the eyes
of the dead, not on the battle eld, but within our
own borders, once being on the scene of a horri c
automobile accident. I have visited an accident
scene where pieces of esh were still present.
If Congressman Kinzinger had these experiences,
then I cannot believe he would be able
to remain a strong advocate of the continued
use of drones.—Richard Kanak, Cherry Valley, Ill.

Tattoos aren’t cool
It’s the latest fad to get our bodies (or certain
places: arms/legs) covered with tattoos. And I
have seen two di erent guys who have crude
marks upon their faces!
But I wouldn’t advise anyone to fall for this
personal dis gurement. Besides, a er a while, a
person’s arms, etc. resemble the skin of a serpent
(snake/lizard). And if a person professes that he
or she is a Christian, they are de ling the temple
of God (He dwells in us). at is, whether it’s a
religious tattoo, it’s still wrong!
But if you don’t believe me, see Leviticus
19:28. However, we can confess/repent and
ask God to forgive us and never get those ugly
marks any more.—Philip J. Wilson, Rockford

‘America the Beautiful’
Hey, Republicans!
What language do you think the kids in Puerto
Rico sing “America the Beautiful” in during their
school assemblies?
Ever hear of Chamorro? It’s the native language
of Guam, another U.S. territory. ey sing in
Guam from time to time, whether they have
your permission or not.
ere’s also about 250,000 Amish-speaking
Pennsylvanian Dutch, 8,000 native Inuit-speaking
Eskimos up there in Sarah Palin’s Alaska,
thousands of Acadians speaking Cajun and
Creole French down in Bobby Jindal country
out on the bayou, and the Lord only knows how
many American Indians still communicate with
one another in their native languages on what is
le of THEIR land.
is twisted idea of yours that these Americans
can’t sing “America the Beautiful” in their own
way makes your racist ideal of America a very
ugly place populated only by very ugly people.
And that is NOT the country we live in.—Del Wasso, Freeport, Ill.

Thanks for participating in Christmas Tree Recycling
ank you to all who were involved in this
year’s Christmas Tree Recycling Program. Approximately
671 trees (about 16.78 tons) were
collected and chipped into mulch and diverted
from local land lls. Since the start of this program
in 1999, about 316 tons of trees have been
recycled and made into a bene cial material.
Drop-o sites were located in seven communities
throughout the county. Jan. 11, high
school Future Farmers of America clubs from
Byron, Forreston, Oregon and Polo volunteered
their time, in lousy weather conditions, to pick
up trees at the curb in nine towns. e students
and advisers delivered the trees to sites where
they were later chipped into mulch.
e Ogle County Solid Waste Management
Department wishes to thank the following
groups for their role in collecting and chipping
trees and making this program possible.
Byron Forest Preserve District, City of Byron,
Byron High School FFA, Lichty’s Landscaping
Service, Village of Forreston, Forreston High
School FFA, Village of Leaf River, Oregon Park
District, Oregon High School FFA, Flagg-Rochelle
Park District, City of Rochelle, Polo High
School FFA and Aurand Tree Service.—Stephen J. Rypkema. Director, Ogle CountySolid Waste Management Department